In Mozambique, the opposition calls for three days of mourning after the death of 50 demonstrators

The Mozambican opposition leader called on his supporters for three days of mourning starting November 20 for the 50 people he said were killed by security forces during protests that broke out. follow up the disputed October elections.

A secret place abroad

In a speech broadcast on Facebook and followed by tens of thousands of people, Venâncio Mondlane again demanded a recount of the votes of the October 9 vote, which, according to the electoral commission, was won hands down by Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party, in power for 49 years.

“We lost 50 people shot by the authorities who were supposed to protect them. They died as martyrs of a revolution, a change,” added the opponent who denounces, once again, “fraudulent” electoral results. Venâncio Mondlane spoke from an undisclosed location, after having assured last week that he was abroad, saying he feared for on security.

In a speech to the nation, President Filipe Nyusi, who is due to hand over to his successor Daniel Chapo in January, condemned an “attempt to create chaos in our country”.

“Venancio”, as the street calls him, urges his supporters to wear black during the three days of mourning and not to take to the streets again at the risk of being targeted by the police.

Officially, this 50-year-old former radio host won 20% of the votes compared to nearly 71% for Daniel Chapo, who will be invested if the Constitutional Council confirms the results at least two weeks before.

“Young people realize the value of voting”

The outgoing head of state called for dialogue between two main candidates and their two other competitors Ossufo Momade of the Renamo party and Lutero Simango of the Mozambican Democratic Movement (MDM). “All problems can be resolved through mutual understanding and consensus building,” he said.

Of the groups human rights defenders denounced the use of live ammunition against opposition demonstrators.

“The police use tear gas, rubber bullets or real bullets, under the pretext that it is about guaranteeing public order,” denounced Ivan Mauss, researcher at the anti-corruption NGO Public Integrity Center (CIP). “We have never experienced such tense elections in a context where the level of information is higher, and where young people realize the value of their vote. »

(With AFP)